Influence of self-differentiation, psychological discomfort, and marital dyadic adjustment on maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of self-differentiation, psychological discomfort, and marital dyadic adjustment on maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida. In total, 108 primigravida participated in this descriptive correlational study. The participants answered self-report questionnaires. Data were collected from January to May, 2020, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS for Windows ver. 23.0. The mean age of the primigravida was 31.66 years. The mean score for the degree of maternal-fetal attachment was 76.81 out of 96 points. Participants' scores for maternal-fetal attachment differed significantly based on age (t=2.08 p=.039) and marital status (t=2.05, p=.043). Maternal-fetal attachment was significantly negatively correlated with psychological discomfort (r=-.39, p<.001), and significantly positively correlated with self-differentiation (r=.36, p<.001) and marital dyadic adjustment (r=.36, p<.001). Self-differentiation explained 24.1% of variance in participants' maternal-fetal attachment, and its effect was statistically significant (F=7.79, p<.001). In primigravida, more self-differentiation was associated with stronger maternal-fetal attachment. To strengthen maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida, educational program that increases the level of self-differentiation and minimizes their psychological discomfort may be helpful for first time pregnant women. Additionally, it is recommended to provide nursing interventions to encourage couples to work together throughout the gestational period.